Media | State News

State News - March 2019

Labor full of hot air when it comes to gas

29th March 2019

Blaming the Federal Government for gas shortages and price issues in Queensland is the pinnacle of Labor passing the buck, Shadow Minister for Natural Resources Dale Last said today.

“Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham is full of hot air when it comes to gas,” Mr Last said.

“Labor still hasn’t delivered the Gas Supply and Demand Action Plan it promised in 2015.

“The only progress Labor has made on this plan is removing any reference to its progress from the department’s website.

“Blaming the Federal Government for his failure to plan for the future is an embarrassing new low for Mr Lynham.

“Queensland manufacturers are suffering under skyrocketing gas prices.

“The Australian Energy Market Operator Gas Statement of Opportunities report found increased vulnerability of some industrial loads in the face of increasing gas prices.

“Queensland gas should be used for Queensland jobs.

“The Palaszczuk Government should develop a plan to boost gas supply instead of playing politics.

“Mr Lynham can’t even convince his Cabinet colleagues to approve his Gas Supply and Demand Action Plan.”

Labor votes against public child sex offender register

28th March 2019

The Palaszczuk Labor Government has denied parents the ability to identify child sex offenders living in their neighbourhood.

The LNP tonight called for Labor to support its plan for major child-safety reforms, which would have also empowered parents to check the background of anyone who has regular unsupervised access to their children.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington condemned Labor’s refusal to back the plan for a public child sex offenders’ register to strengthen the safety of children in Queensland.

“As a mum of three girls, I believe the community has a right to this information,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Ignoring tougher, responsible laws that would protect children from serial violent pedophiles shows the Palaszczuk Government can’t be trusted to protect kids.

“Labor has failed to protect the community, but I will take our plan to keep children safe to the 2020 election.”

The LNP’s plan for a public sex offender register is backed by Sharon Tomlinson and Stephen Cohen, who survived horrific sexual attacks by pedophile Robert John Fardon.

“It has also been backed by leading child safety advocate Bravehearts,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Fardon was released into the community without even a GPS tracker thanks to the Palaszczuk Government.

“Even worse, he was originally housed in the same street as a local primary school and next to a kindergarten in Salisbury.

“Parents deserve to know if an offender like Fardon is living in their neighbourhood.

“Only the LNP’s plan puts victims first and lets parents take extra safeguards to protect their kids.”

Following Labor’s snub of these crucial child-safety reforms, LNP Shadow Police Minister Trevor Watts said the public child sex offender legislation would be introduced if the LNP wins the next state election in October 2020.

“We wanted bipartisan support for this plan because protecting children is more important than protecting the anonymity of pedophiles,” Mr Watts said.

“The LNP’s plan also included strong safeguards to prevent vigilante action against sex offenders.

“The use of similar laws in Western Australia and the UK shows that they are effective and are used responsibly by the community.

“If one child is prevented from becoming the victim of sexual abuse then these laws will be worth it.”

Petition launched to save Rural Fire Service and SES

28th March 2019

LNP Shadow Minister for Fire, Emergency Services and Volunteers Lachlan Millar has launched a petition* calling on the Labor Palaszczuk Government to abandon plans for a Brisbane takeover of Rural Fire Brigades and SES groups.

It follows considerable outcry from local fire brigades over the Labor Government’s plans to restructure how rural fire brigades and the SES groups report, operate and are managed within the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES).

Mr Millar said Labor Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford must put an end to the Brisbane power grab.

“Mr Crawford has to restore autonomy back to our state’s hard working and well-respected rural fire brigades and SES volunteers,” Mr Millar said.

“While the Minister calls his plan ‘regionalisation’, the facts could not be further from the truth.

“This plan strips power from the Rural Fire Service assistance commission and dilutes it amongst the regional assistant commissioners that come from and represent urban firefighting interests, not rural and regional Queensland.

“The most disappointing part of this entire process has been the complete lack of consultation with the very volunteers that make up 80 per cent of QFES that this restructure will directly impact.

“Clearly the Minister believes he is above due diligence.

“If Mr Crawford and QFES bothered to consult and listen to the more than 42,000 volunteers within QFES, they would realise this restructure isn’t what the rural fire brigades want or need.

“When it comes to issues affecting rural and regional Queensland Labor continues to govern from Brisbane for Brisbane.

“It’s time to tell Labor to back off our Rural Fire Services and SES groups.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s priorities are all wrong and her embattled Minister Craig Crawford needs to take some responsibility for this mess.

“I urge those people who feel passionate about this to sign my petition, so we can send a strong message to the Palaszczuk Labor Government.”

*Sign the petition: https://queensland.typeform.com/to/lmcigx

VIDEO:

Justin Choveaux, General Manager - Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland Inc.: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9rkwut1zo81zrwd/20190328%20-%20RURAL%20FIRIES%20GRABS%20-%20JUSTIN.mp4?dl=0

Lachlan Millar: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1qb73272fopoyh7/20190328%20-%20RURAL%20FIRIES%20GRABS%20-%20LACHY.mp4?dl=0

Queensland’s construction industry in dire straits under Labor

27th March 2019

LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander has warned ABS engineering construction data released today* shows Queensland’s construction industry continues to crumble under Labor.

The data revealed trend engineering construction work done fell for the third consecutive quarter in the months to December last year.

“Construction has dropped by $368 million since March 2018, and a massive $7 billion in 6 years since the construction peak under the LNP,” Mr Mander said.

“A strong construction industry means jobs for Queenslanders, but this is the third consecutive quarter that the value of engineering construction work has dropped.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk has no plan to support the 234,000 Queenslanders** working in the construction industry.

“The vital infrastructure that Queenslanders need just isn’t being built under Labor.

“Business confidence has plunged as a direct result of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s high taxes, and it’s showing in less business investment and less construction.”

Mr Mander said the ABS release today was just the latest report to prove Queensland’s economy is in dire straits.

“Building approvals have also plummeted more than 35 per cent from the same time last year,” Mr Mander said.

"Fewer building approvals equals less construction, which means fewer jobs for more than 151,000 Queenslanders currently in the unemployment queue.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk has no plan to support Queensland businesses, which is why it’s currently rated as the worst government in Australia amongst small to medium sized businesses.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s only plan for Queensland is taxes, debt and unemployment.

“Only the LNP has a plan to secure the future of Queensland’s economy and provide the services and infrastructure that Queenslanders need.”

*https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/8762.0Dec%202018?OpenDocument

**https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6291.0.55.003Nov%202018?OpenDocument

Media statement from LNP Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates

27th March 2019

“Queensland’s public health system is in crisis under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

“Warning our public hospitals in southeast Queensland are full is unprecedented and a symptom of the carnage Labor’s policies are having on patient care.

“Minister Steven Miles needs to stop blaming patients and start fixing this mess. Delivering better health services should be the priority.

“That’s what Annastacia Palaszczuk promised at the last election and has failed to deliver.”

Trad to scrap funding to Family Responsibilities Commission

25th March 2019

LNP Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Dr Christian Rowan has once again raised concerns about Jackie Trad’s plans to shut down the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC).

In a recent statement, Ms Trad celebrated the achievements of the FRC but skated around her plans to scrap future funding.

"It's disgraceful that Labor’s real Premier Jackie Trad would celebrate the achievements of the FRC in one breath while at the same time trying to shut it down,” Dr Rowan said.

"The FRC has operated with bipartisan support for a decade, but now Trad wants it gone.

“This callous decision completely flies in the face of closing the gap on indigenous disadvantage.”

Dr Rowan also highlighted the fact that Queensland was the only state or territory to not be on track for a single target for Closing the Gap in the last report.

"Clearly scrapping the FRC is not the solution, but this arrogant Labor government refuses to listen to the communities actually benefiting from the work of the FRC,” Dr Rowan said.

"An independent report by the Queensland University of Technology found that there is good evidence that the reforms of the FRC over the last decade have directly helped communities, and that the reforms should be continued.

"The Deputy Premier should be ashamed of her arrogant disregard for Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

 

LNP moves to urgently close blue card loopholes

25th March 2019

Convicted child killers and attempted rapists will be automatically blocked from applying to work with kids under tough LNP laws strengthening the safety of children in Queensland.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Labor’s proposed new laws, which are expected to be introduced to Parliament this week, allowed people convicted of atrocious crimes to be considered for a blue card.

“Convicted child killers and sexual predators shouldn’t come close to working with kids for one second,” Ms Frecklington said.

“I am calling on Annastacia Palaszczuk to support the sensible amendments the LNP will introduce that will only make Queensland’s blue card system stronger.

“The community expects the blue card system to protect children but there are still glaring loopholes in Labor’s laws.
“Culprits of atrocious crimes will be disqualified from applying for a blue card under our laws.

“We would also ensure the international criminal histories of applicants are examined before they get their hands on one.

“Protecting kids must be above politics and I would welcome Labor’s support to broaden the range of disqualifying offences to keep violent criminals and sexual predators away from our children.”

LNP Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said Labor’s own report, Keeping Queensland’s children more than safe: Review of the blue card system, recommended new laws to broaden the range of disqualifying offences.

“While Labor has moved to include “murder of an adult” and “rape of an adult” as disqualifying offences for a blue card, their laws just don’t go far enough to meet community expectations,” Mr Janetzki said.

“Labor’s disqualifying framework doesn’t include serious violent offences including manslaughter of a child, child cruelty and torture.

“It’s clearly not good enough that Labor has failed to close this loophole, which was recommended in their own review.

“Introducing these disqualifying offences would bring Queensland into line with other Australian jurisdictions, including New South Wales.

“The LNP’s laws guarantee anyone convicted of a disqualifying offence will never hold a blue card in their life – a move supported by the Queensland Family Child Commission.”

LNP amendments

The LNP will move four key amendments to Labor’s bill to:


1. Strengthen the blue card system by expanding the range of disqualifying offences;
The offences that are currently not disqualifying offences that the LNP will make disqualifying offences include:

  • manslaughter (if the offence was committed against a child and was not a result of a motor vehicle accident) – section 300 Criminal Code
  • choking, suffocation or strangulation in a domestic setting – 315A Criminal Code
  • torture – section 320A Criminal Code
  • cruelty to children under 16 – section 364 Criminal Code
  • incest of an adult – section 222 Criminal Code
  • attempt to commit rape of an adult – section 350 Criminal Code
  • assault with intent to commit rape of an adult – section 351 Criminal Code
  • sexual assault of an adult – section 352 Criminal Code

2. Prevent all disqualified persons from being eligible to apply for and hold a blue card;

The LNP’s amendments will remove the eligibility declaration to ensure that a disqualified person will never have the opportunity to work with children.

3. Establish a new framework that applies to blue card applicants and holders charged or convicted of a serious offence;

The LNP will ensure that a person who holds a blue card will have their blue card suspended if charged with a serious offence. A person’s application will also not be considered while a charge for a serious offence is pending against the person or if the person has been convicted of a serious offence.


4. Broaden the scope of criminal history disclosure and criminal history checks.

The LNP will ensure blue card services consider applicants’ international criminal histories prior to obtaining a blue card

LNP plans sex offender register to protect kids

25th March 2019

Parents will be able to discover the identity of child sex offenders living in their neighbourhood under major child-safety reforms announced by LNP Leader Deb Frecklington.

The new public child sex offender register would also allow parents to check the background of anyone who has regular unsupervised access to their children.

The LNP plan – which is modelled on systems in Western Australia and the UK – would include strong safeguards to prevent vigilante action against sex offenders.

“As a mum of three daughters, I believe every parent has the right to know if someone is a threat to their kids,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Protecting children is more important than protecting the anonymity of pedophiles.

“If I become Premier, I will do everything I can to stop kids being targeted by sexual predators.”

The Queensland Police Service already operates a Child Protection Offender Registry (CPOR), which requires child sex offenders to keep police informed of their whereabouts.

The LNP’s plan would provide parents with access to three tiers of information on sex offenders:

 

  • Missing Offenders’ Register – Photos and personal details of offenders who fail to report to police and whose whereabouts are unknown will be published online for access by the public.
  • Local Offender Search – Parents will be able to search their suburb and adjacent suburbs to view photographs of child sex offenders living in their community. Importantly, anyone accessing this information will face a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment if they harass a listed offender or distribute their photograph or personal details.
  • Community Protection Disclosure Scheme – Parents or guardians will be able to apply to the police to inquire if a person who has regular, unsupervised contact with their child is a reportable sex offender. Anyone who uses false information to request a disclosure or misuses information provided by police could face seven years’ imprisonment.

“The release of sexual predator Robert Fardon without even a GPS tracker shows the Palaszczuk Government can’t be trusted to protect kids,” Ms Frecklington said.

“I back tougher, responsible laws that will protect children from serial violent pedophiles like Robert Fardon.”

Sharon Tomlinson, who was raped by Fardon at gunpoint when was 12 years old, said the public register was needed to protect the public.

“The community has a right to this information,” Ms Tomlinson said.

“Parents need to know if there is an offender living in their midst. Nothing is more important than protecting our kids from sexual predators.”

Shadow Police Minister Trevor Watts said the public child sex offender legislation would be introduced if the LNP wins the next state election in October 2020.

“We can’t keep parents in the dark when it comes to their children’s safety,” Mr Watts said.

“If we can prevent one child from becoming the victim of sexual abuse these laws will be worth it.

“The use of similar laws in WA and the UK shows that they are effective and are used responsibly by the community.”

Frustration grows with Labor’s weed report delays

22nd March 2019

LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett has sprayed the Palaszczuk Labor Government for the endless delays in releasing a Parliamentary Report into the impact of invasive weeds,

The Agriculture and Environment Committee originally commenced the Parliamentary report into the impact of invasive weeds (Invasive Weed Inquiry) review in November 2016*.

Mr. Perrett said it had been nearly two and half years since Labor promised to deliver this report and Queenslanders are still waiting.

“Whether its giant rat’s tail, fireweed, prickly acacia or any of the other countless invasive weeds, Queensland landholders and farmers have had enough,” Mr. Perrett said.

“As a landholder and someone passionate about tackling weeds in rural and regional communities, I spearheaded the ‘war on weeds,’ which led to the Labor Government commissioning this inquiry.

“It is shear arrogance that Labor has left a report sitting on the shelf hidden all because it doesn’t like what it has to say about the Government’s record on weed management.

“The situation is becoming increasingly desperate particularly in the state’s North West which is dealing with a prickly acacia outbreak after the recent flooding events**.

"We cannot allow this culture of secrecy and arrogance to continue from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister Mark Furner.

“He sat on the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges (QATC) reports for 6 months just to announce its closure.

“This is just the latest in the long list of failures from this Labor Government not fulfilling its obligation to Queenslanders in taking up the fight in the ‘war on weeds.

“When it comes to issues affecting rural and regional Queensland, Labor continues to government from Brisbane for Brisbane.

“While Queensland loses the battle against weeds in this state, Minister Furner continues to play politics with rural and regional Queensland from his inner-city Brisbane seat.”

* https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/former-committees/AEC/inquiries/past-inquiries/14-Weeds

** https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/5964151/weed-work-gathering-dust/?cs=4785

Queenslanders must strive to Close the Gap

21st March 2019

Close the Gap Day events being held across Queensland today are a powerful reminder that we must do more to fight indigenous disadvantage, LNP Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Partnerships Dr Christian Rowan MP said today.

Dr Rowan will be one of the speakers at the National Close the Gap Day event being held this lunchtime at Bunyapa Park, in Brisbane's West End.

"Close the Gap Day offers us the chance to reflect on our responsibility to end the unacceptable disadvantage faced by so many indigenous Queenslanders and Australians," Dr Rowan said.

"The 11th Closing the Gap Report, released by the Prime Minister last month, showed that nationally we are on track to reach two of the seven original Closing the Gap targets.

"We are making progress as a nation to close the gap on early childhood education and Year 12 attainment.

"Disappointingly, Queensland so far has failed to meet any of the Closing the Gap targets.

"I believe every Queenslander deserves the right to a healthy future and educational opportunities.

"As Queenslanders, we must continue to strive to close the gap that blights so many lives.

"The LNP offers its ongoing support to the Queensland Government to close the gap that exists in services and outcomes for indigenous communities across our state."

Unanswered calls to PoliceLink skyrocket

19th March 2019

The horrendous number of calls going unanswered by PoliceLink has been revealed with data showing a 644 per cent increase under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

An LNP Question on Notice showed 197,648 calls went unanswered or were disconnected by PoliceLink in 2018, compared to 26,555 in 2014 under the LNP*.

Only 3 per cent of calls were unanswered in 2014, while 17 per cent were unanswered in 2018.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said our hard-working police officers were missing out on vital tip-offs to help keep the community safe.

“The amount of calls going unanswered by PoliceLink is horrendous,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Information from the public is crucial to preventing and responding to crime, but people are hanging up on PoliceLink in record numbers.

“These damning statistics show the Palaszczuk Labor Government should never have allowed the Crime Stoppers call centre to close.

“Crime is rising fast under Annastacia Palaszczuk, frontline police are at breaking point, and PoliceLink can’t cope with the mountain of calls.”

LNP Shadow Police Minister Trevor Watts warned the closure of the Crime Stoppers call centre would pile even more pressure on police resources.

“The only reason Labor Police Minister Mark Ryan put out a media release this morning was because the LNP had a Question on Notice exposing this shameful handling of calls,” Mr Watts said.

“It’s disturbing that Mr Ryan would cherry pick a few months of data when the big picture shows a massive increase in missed calls on his watch.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk must sack her incompetent Police Minister.

“The LNP was the first to fund Crime Stoppers and we pledged an extra $1 million for the charity at the last election.”

*https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/110-2019.pdf

LNP introduces life-saving new policy for Queensland schools

18th March 2019

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has announced a life-saving new policy which will jump-start the hearts of Queenslanders if elected in 2020.

“The LNP will put an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every Queensland school if elected in 2020,” Ms Frecklington said.

“This policy is a potential life-saver.

“Time is critical during Sudden Cardiac Arrest emergencies and these AEDs will make schools ready for action.

“Currently, less than 50 per cent of people who suffer a Sudden Cardiac Arrest have someone to step in to do CPR or use an AED before an ambulance arrives.

“For every minute that passes without CPR or an AED, the chance of survival drops by 10 per cent.

“Introducing easy-to-use life-saving equipment in schools is a no-brainer.”

LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander said grants would be provided to schools and the project would cost just over $2.6 million.

“You can’t put a price on jump-starting someone’s heart,” Mr Mander said.

“This new policy will save lives and keep hearts beating.

“Schools host a variety of community events for parents, teachers, students and local residents and AEDs will available in the case of an emergency.

“These AEDs could be used at swimming meets, cross-country events and athletics carnivals.

“School halls and ovals are also used by sporting clubs and for local community events all the time.”

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said there were significant health benefits for the community by locating an AED at every school.

“Sudden Cardiac Arrest doesn’t discriminate – it can happen to people of any age, any fitness level, any time,” Ms Bates said.

“As a nurse, I believe this is an important community health initiative that will provide better local health care for Queenslanders.”

Queenslanders won’t cop Labor’s council voting shake-up

14th March 2019

Annastacia Palaszczuk is on track to ignore the will of the people.

It comes as Councils across the state have launched a major campaign to reject Labor’s rigging of the Local Government voting system.

A poll from the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) shows an overwhelming number of Queenslanders don’t support the changes.

LNP Shadow Minister for Local Government Ann Leahy said 70 per cent of people don’t want Annastacia Palaszczuk to interfere.

“Labor plans to introduce compulsory preferential voting, a senate style voting system and public funding for candidates,” Ms Leahy said.

“The next Local Government elections are due in 12 months.

“Democracy is not enhanced by complex voting systems that the voters don’t understand.

“It also forces voters to choose candidates they don’t know or never heard of.

“Labor wants to complicate the Local Government voting system to advance their own political party.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk has form when it comes to rigging outcomes that favour Labor.

“She did it with the Lady Cilento Hospital name change poll in Brisbane and now she’s up to her old tricks with Local Government Elections.

“Labor’s priorities are all wrong.

“Instead of fixing our hospitals, investing in infrastructure and busting congestion, they’re more focused on manipulating Local Government elections for their own benefit.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk is out of touch and I call on her to scrap this proposal.”

Billions cut from major Queensland projects under Labor

13th March 2019

A new industry report released today* has revealed funding to major Queensland projects will plummet from $6.1 billion in 2018/19 to $4.6 billion in 2019/20.

LNP Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Andrew Powell slammed the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s economic mismanagement which is costing jobs and delaying desperately-needed infrastructure.

“Under Annastacia Palaszczuk’s leadership the value of Queensland’s major projects will dive by more than a fifth next year,” Mr Powell said.

“Ripping $1.4 billion out of our economy will only make our state’s job crisis worse and put more pressure on Queenslanders’ cost of living.

“Projects in key sectors such as roads, telecommunications, electricity and mining will be slashed by 45 per cent next year.

“Labor is ruining Queensland’s economy by shifting the goal posts for resource projects, cutting road funding and ramping up taxes on businesses.

“With our roads and hospitals at breaking point, we need more infrastructure investment not less.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s priorities are all wrong and Queenslanders are being forced to pay the price.

“While NSW is celebrating record low unemployment, Queensland's unemployment is out of control and the situation is going from bad to worse.

“Our state needs an LNP Frecklington Government that will invest in projects that bust congestion, create jobs and deliver better services.”

Mr Powell said no state assets would be sold or leased under an LNP Government.

“Only an LNP Government will be able to reverse the billions that have been cut from major projects under Labor,” Mr Powell said.

Examples of delayed projects:

  • Cairns Convention Centre expansion – Over two years delayed
  • Second M1 – no plan
  • Sunshine Coast rail duplication – short changed
  • Cross River Rail project – 18 months delayed
  • Lake Macdonald dam – Over two years delayed
  • Nullinga Dam – delayed with no start date
  • Raising the Burdekin Falls Dam – delayed with no start date
  • Urannah Dam – delayed with no start date

*Report available from 9:00AM at https://qmca.com.au/2019-major-projects-pipeline-report/

Labor warned Queensland public health system in crisis

13th March 2019

LNP Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said claims raised today by Dr Simon Judkins should send shockwaves through the Palaszczuk Labor Government and deserve a response from the Premier.

“Dr Judkins described mental health patients spending days before being admitted to an emergency bed as “inhuman at best and torture at worst”,” Ms Bates said.

“The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine expert is the second senior doctor to speak out about the crisis in Queensland’s public health system in as many months.

“Our public hospitals are literally bursting at the seams and Labor has no plan to fix that.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk promised better health services but patient care is getting worse.

“Rather than spending money renaming hospitals, better patient care should always be the priority.

“As a former ED nurse, I know our hard-working nurses, doctors, midwives and paramedics need more help on the frontline.

“The latest Queensland Health Hospital Performance Data for January shows many of our major emergency departments are overcrowded and ambulance ramping is rife*.

“Labor needs to fast-track promised hospital upgrades in high-growth areas like Ipswich, Caboolture and Logan.

“Queenslanders deserve a world-class public health system that only Deb Frecklington and the LNP will deliver.”

Oodgeroo LNP MP Dr Mark Robinson said the latest ED figures showed 45 per cent of ED patients were not seen on time at Redland Hospital and ambulance ramping was at 40 per cent – the worst in Queensland.

“Local Redland residents deserve better than a plan for a plan that has been delayed,” Dr Robinson said.

“Labor has been talking about a new intensive care unit since 2017 but nothing has been delivered.

“This is a growing community that is also ageing and we need better local health services for the bayside.

“There has been very little detail about the proposed hospital master plan, which isn’t surprising given the fact Annastacia Palaszczuk has cut the Metro South budget by $39 million this year.

“We need permanent solutions to be fast-tracked.”

* http://www.performance.health.qld.gov.au/

Horror rise in Queensland DV breaches under Labor

11th March 2019

Queensland has broken its own disgraceful record for the number of domestic violence order breaches, as the Labor Palaszczuk Government fails to introduce a plan to fix the crisis.

New data released by the Queensland Police Service revealed more than 28,200 breaches have been recorded in the past 12 months.

That’s a rise of ten per cent, compared to February 2018.

Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Stephen Bennett said more people, especially women, are being put in danger under Labor.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s failure to act on domestic and family violence is putting more Queenslanders in harms way,” Mr Bennett said.

“Just days after International Women’s Day, these statistics are horrific.

“Mt Isa, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast have all experienced substantial increases.

“This follows the shocking revelation that over 1,300 Queensland children were harmed in 2016-17 after they were deemed safe by Child Safety.

“Minister Di Farmer is failing to take real action on domestic violence and on child safety.

“Queensland’s most vulnerable are continuing to suffer as a result.

“I welcome the federal Government’s commitment to take action on domestic and family violence prevention and I urge the Palaszczuk Labor Government to do the same.

“Only the LNP is tough on crime and are committed to keeping all Queenslanders safe.

Key Stats - https://www.police.qld.gov.au/online/data/

  • • Queensland – 28,209 breaches for the year up to February 2019

o This is 465 more than the month before
o This is 2,625 more than the year before (10.2 per cent rise)

 

  • Wide Bay Burnett – 1,840 for the year up to February 2019 - This is 130 more than the year before (7.6 per cent rise)
  • Sunshine Coast – 1,250 for the year up to February 2019 - This is 159 more than the year before (14.6 per cent rise)
  • Mount Isa – 913 for the year up to February 2019 - This is 173 more than the year before (23.4 per cent rise)
  • Logan – 2,530 for the year up to February 2019 - This is 289 more than the year before (12.9 per cent rise)
  • Ipswich – 1,655 for the year up to February 2019 - This is 224 more than the year before (15.7 per cent rise)
  • Gold Coast – 2,512 for the year up to February 2019 - This is 311 more than the year before (14.1 per cent rise)
  • Brisbane (South and North combined) – 4,507 for the year up to February 2019 - This is 504 more than the year before (12.6 per cent rise)

 

LNP picks Townsville for dam delivery company

11th March 2019

A future Deb Frecklington LNP Government will create a new government-owned corporation based in Townsville to construct new dams and unleash the economic potential of regional Queensland.

The new Queensland Dam Company (QDC) will create new jobs in Townsville and implement the LNP’s plan for new dams and dam upgrades in Central and North Queensland.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said it was now 14 years since a dam had been built in regional Queensland and she was determined to finally turn on the dam investment tap.

“The lack of investment in water infrastructure is yet another example of Labor ignoring the regions,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Our population is growing and regional communities are crying out for jobs, but Annastacia Palaszczuk is only bothered about Brisbane.

“Quite simply, water means jobs.

“New dams will kick-start regional economies, create new jobs and provide water security for generations to come.

“SunWater hasn’t built a dam since 2005 so we clearly need a new plan for water infrastructure.

“SunWater will still manage our existing dams, but the new Townsville company will be firmly focused on delivering the additional dams our regions need.

“Setting up the Queensland Dam Company in Townsville is a deliberate strategy to tackle unacceptably high unemployment in the region.

“Since Annastacia Palaszczuk was elected 4,000 jobs in Townsville have been lost.

“A head office business will encourage other businesses to expand existing offices or relocate the regions.

“The Queensland Dam Company will be encouraged to use local businesses so there will be flow on benefits for service providers like engineers, accountants, project managers, surveyors and construction workers.

“We need to make the Townsville economy more resilient and a major head office company like the Queensland Dam Company will bolster the region.”

The LNP has already committed to progressing the Nullinga Dam project on the Atherton Tablelands, the Urannah Dam project north-west of Mackay and raising the Burdekin Falls Dam south of Townsville.

LNP Shadow Resources Minister and Member for Burdekin Dale Last said the QDC would work with the Federal Government to secure funding of the three projects, as well as all future dams.

“Canberra has more than a billion dollars available for new dams, but Labor has just sat on its hands,” Mr Last said.

“Water means more jobs for agriculture and industry – and more hope for regional communities.

“While Labor is destroying jobs in North Queensland, the LNP has a plan to create them.”

LNP launches plan to rid road rage from our streets

11th March 2019

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has pledged to launch a crackdown on road rage by introducing targeted penalties for offenders.

Ms Frecklington said road rage threatened the lives of drivers, their passengers and the public.

“I want to make sure every Queensland driver gets home safely,” Ms Frecklington said.

“The combination of high speeds and hot heads means road rage can strike suddenly and ruin lives.

“Even in bumper-to-bumper traffic, road rage can erupt and cause enormous harm.

“We won’t tolerate road rage any longer and targeted offences will help deter the deadly behaviour.

“The LNP’s laws send the message if you lose control, you lose your licence for at least three years and may ultimately face jail time.”

Unlike New South Wales and Western Australia, Queensland doesn’t have specific offences for road rage.

LNP Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said the LNP, if elected in 2020, would mirror New South Wales legislation and introduce offences of ‘menacing driving’ and ‘predatory driving’.

“We will crack down on road rage offenders with specific penalties including imprisonment, fines and mandatory licence disqualification,” Mr Janetzki said.

“Repeat offenders will be taken off our streets with lengthier sentences and longer licence disqualification periods.

“Making road rage an offence will make it easier to take culprits to court and get them off our streets.

“Driver distraction, drugs and drink driving are making roads more dangerous too.

“We've got to crack down on poor road behaviour and this policy is about protecting motorists and reducing the horrific damage road rage causes.”

LNP’s Road Rage Laws

‘Menacing driving’ is committed by a person who drives a motor vehicle on a road in a manner that menaces (or ought to have known it would menace) another person with the intention of menacing that other person.

  • Under the LNP’s laws, intent to menace carries a maximum penalty of $3,300 or imprisonment for 18 months (or both). The possibility of menace carries a maximum penalty of $2,200 or imprisonment for 12 months (or both).

Predatory driving is an indictable offence and applies where the driver of a vehicle who, while in pursuit of or travelling near another vehicle engages in a course of conduct that causes or threatens an impact involving the other vehicle and causes a person in the other vehicle actual bodily harm.

  • Predatory driving carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for five years.

Both offences impose mandatory licence disqualification of at least three years, which increases to five years for repeat offenders.

Students mark Annastacia Palaszczuk’s training policy a failure

7th March 2019

New national training data released this week* has revealed Queensland apprentices and trainees are turning away from Labor’s training policy in droves.

Queensland recorded the largest fall out of all east coast states with students in training decreasing by 0.6% year on year.

LNP Shadow Minister for Training and Skills Development Fiona Simpson hit out at the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s continued failure in skilling Queenslanders for jobs.

“We desperately need more Queenslanders training for jobs,” Ms Simpson said.

“Queensland’s youth unemployment rate is 12.8%** and there are now over 8,000 fewer students in-training than under the previous LNP Government.

“Victoria, New South Wales and even Tasmania have all increased their number of students in-training.

“While NSW is celebrating record low unemployment, Queensland's unemployment is out of control and the situation is going from bad to worse.”

Ms Simpson said Annastacia Palaszczuk was out of touch with the needs of young people who are trying to make a start in their careers.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk recently refused $245 million in desperately-needed vocational training funding from the Federal Government under a new national partnership,” Ms Simpson said.

“That $245 million of vocational training funds could have been used to help young Queenslanders make a start in their careers.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk also axed the Back to Work Program in a number of areas across southeast Queensland.”

*https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/publications/all-publications/apprentices-and-trainees-2018-september-quarter-australia/apprentices-and-trainees-2018-september-quarter-queensland

Building industry in freefall under Labor

5th March 2019

LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander has warned Queensland’s building and construction industry is in freefall under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

"Building approvals in Queensland have now fallen for 12 consecutive months,” Mr Mander said.

“Since the same time last year, building approvals have plummeted over 35 per cent.

“In one year alone we’ve seen over $329 million less being pumped into the Queensland economy from building approvals.

"Things will only get worse with the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s waste tax and new taxes on home owners.

"Less building approvals equals a construction decline and less jobs for over 161,000 Queenslanders currently in the unemployment queue.”

Mr Mander reiterated the LNP’s plan to establish a Royal Commission into Queensland’s building industry, if elected in October 2020.

“Workers in the building and construction industry continue to be ripped off under the Palaszczuk Labor Government and that’s why the LNP will establish a Royal Commission, if elected in 2020,” Mr Mander said.

“With construction in decline and business confidence at rock bottom levels, it’s no wonder Queensland continues to have an unemployment rate over 6 per cent.

“More than 50 building companies have collapsed on Labor’s watch, with 7000 subbies owed around half a billion dollars.

“Labor has no plan for Queensland’s building and construction industry.

“Only the LNP can deliver the infrastructure and business certainty needed to bring Queensland back to a position of economic strength.”

Labor casts aside Queensland’s commercial fishers

1st March 2019

The Palaszczuk Labor Government has ignored the advice of a committee stacked with its own MPs and rammed through second-rate fisheries laws.

Liberal National Party Shadow Minister for Fisheries Tony Perrett said the Parliamentary Committee had made many sensible recommendations that would have brought the Fisheries (Sustainable Fisheries) Amendment Bill 2018 into line with community and industry expectations.

“Queensland’s commercial fishing industry not only bolsters the state economy but is a vital primary industry for towns up and down the coast,” Mr Perrett said.

“Labor’s new laws make it abundantly clear that they don’t care about the intellectual property rights of our commercial fishers or their future viability.

“The committee recommended that the new laws bolster penalties associated with the misuse of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data by public servants, the creation of a statutory review of the VMS rollout after 18 months, and the redefining of ‘commercial quantity’ to properly reflect the reality of current black-market activity.

“The LNP also argued against Labor’s bureaucratic power grab that will allow inspectors to search and enter property without notice or a warrant. This is an affront to fishers’ property rights.

“Labor Fisheries Minister Mark Furner arrogantly refused to include the recommendations of the committee, which included three of his Labor colleagues, and rammed the Bill through.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government also guillotined debate on the Bill, which meant not all of the LNP’s amendments were able to be debated.

“I want commercial fishers to know that the LNP tried to make this bad situation somewhat easier to swallow, but this arrogant government would not budge an inch.

“The LNP stands shoulder to shoulder with Queensland’s commercial fishers and will continue to hold this failing Labor Government to account.

“Only an LNP Government will restore balance to Queensland fisheries and put an end to Labor’s attacks.”